Judge denies bail for duo charged with hit-and-run death of Mississippi sheriff

Christopher Baxter: George County, Miss. 24-year-old charged with capital murder in the hit-and-run death of George County Sheriff Garry Welford.

GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. -- George County Justice Court Judge Cedric Howell denied bail this afternoon for 19-year-old Brandy Williams and 24-year-old Christopher Baxter, the George County pair charged with capital murder on accusations they ran over Sheriff Garry Welford on Wednesday during a police chase.

Jackson County District Attorney Tony Lawrence argued that the pair had already proven to be a flight risk. Lawrence said Williams and Baxter would be taken to an undisclosed jail outside of George County.

The duo were captured at 6:20 this morning about 3 miles north of where they abandoned the maroon pickup truck that struck Welford as he tried to end a police pursuit by laying down tire spikes.

Williams and Baxter were found hiding in a trailer they were familiar with by Mississippi Highway Patrol officers. A K-9 unit also was used in the arrests.

On Wednesday, Williams, who was driving, and Baxter were leading police on a chase in George County because Baxter was wanted for failure to appear in court for sentencing on a drug charge.

Brandy Williams: 19-year-old George County, Miss., faces a capital murder charge and is being held without bail in the hit-and-run death of Sheriff Garry Welford.

The two suspects initially were taken to Hattiesburg after their capture, according to Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd.

Welford, 62, was in his second term as George County sheriff. He was
transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center after
being struck and died at the hospital Wednesday evening.

George County Circuit Clerk Chad Welford, a distant relative of the late sheriff, said this morning he has been in touch with the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office and has been told the George County Board of Supervisors will appoint a sheriff to fill the vacancy. There will be a special election in November, he said.